Center Grove Magazine March 2022

MARCH 2022

Painting the Southside Red PAINTCO PAINTERS DELIVERS AN HONEST & COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO EXTERIOR & INTERIOR PAINTING PROJECTS

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2022 DIRECTORY & 2022 DIRECTORY & RELOCATION RELOCATIONGUIDE GUIDE

Com inA pril Coming iningApril TARGET YOUR MOST SOUGHT-AFTER LOCAL CONSUMERS TARGET YOUR MOST SOUGHT-AFTER LOCAL CONSUMERS EXISTING and NEW Geist/Fishers MOVERS in the Center Grove Community EXISTING and NEW MOVERS in the Community Back popular demand, our Annual Directory & Relocation Guide for Back byby popular demand, our Annual Directory & Relocation Guide Grove will feature all sorts of local extrasextras to make it a keepsake forCenter Geist and Fishers will feature all sorts of local to make it reference reference for the entire year.

In addition our regular distribution a keepsake for the entire year. Into addition to our regular in April, we will be mailing throughout year to the distribution in April, we willcopies be mailing copiesthe throughout thefollowing year to people: the following people: New movers: purchase a list new homeowners each month þþ New movers: WeWe purchase a list of of new homeowners each month and mail them a complimentary copy via First Class USPS. and mail them a complimentary copy via First Class USPS. Relocation requests: Through TownePost.com, people looking þþ Relocation requests: Through TownePost.com, people looking to to relocate Center Grove can can request request aa FREE FREE copy. copy. relocate toto Geist or Fishers

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•Direct Direct mailed Center Groveresidents residents mailed toto allall Geist + Fishers •Online Online requests from new movers requests from new movers •New New movers Center Grovemailed mailedout out movers toto Geist + Fishers monthly monthly Realtors, relocation companies, and • •Realtors, relocation companies, and realreal estate developers estate developers Home builders and new home communities • •Home builders and new home communities • • •

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Center Grove Alumni and Friends Establishing Hall of Fame

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PAINTING THE SOUTHSIDE RED

Paintco Painters Delivers an Honest & Collaborative Approach to Exterior & Interior Painting Projects

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DIRECTORY

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CENTER GROVE CHOIRS RECEIVE MULTIPLE AWARDS AT FISHERS SILVER SPOTLIGHT SHOW CHOIR INVITATIONAL

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CENTER GROVE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS ESTABLISHING HALL OF FAME Writer / Jennifer Rakow Photography Provided

The first Center Grove High School class graduated in 1888. There were four students. Since then, more than 20,000 alumni have gone out into the world and done some pretty amazing things. Center Grove Alumni and Friends is looking to recognize those individuals with the establishment of the Center Grove Alumni and Friends Hall of Fame.

The Center Grove Alumni Association was started in 1898. For many years they

hosted an alumni banquet in early June at Center Grove High School (CGHS).

It gave classmates an opportunity to get together, reminisce about the old times and share what was going on in their lives. However, with the evolution of social media, alumni became more easily connected. As interest in an annual banquet began to wane, the association had to reimagine what the group would look like.

Foundation.

In 2013 the group came under the umbrella of the Center Grove Education

“We wanted to create space for people who may not have graduated from Center

6 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / MARCH 2022 / TownePost.com

“We saw an opportunity to connect our alumni with the current events in our school corporation and encourage their support of our students and programs.” says Jennifer Rakow, executive director of the Center Grove Education Foundation.

The group also expanded to include Center Grove alumni and friends.

HALL OF FAME REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY ARE AS FOLLOWS: • The nominee must have graduated from Center High School at least 10 years ago or have been a resident of the Center Grove community for a

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The Center Grove Alumni and Friends Hall of Fame will recognize graduates and community members for their professional achievements and personal contributions to improve the lives of others and society. Their public example will hopefully serve to inspire future graduates to perform and serve in the same spirit.

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CGHS alumni, current or former schoolboard members, administrators, faculty or staff, and parents and grandparents of CGHS graduates are welcome to be part of the group. Through the years the group’s efforts have included special events such as a homecoming tailgate, a job fair, scholarships for graduating seniors, and special recognition of the oldest living alumni. In looking at the activities of other high school alumni associations, leaders realized an alumni hall of fame was missing. The Alumni and Friends group went to work developing a formalized process to celebrate outstanding alumni and friends who have supported Center Grove schools.

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Grove, but who have been an important part of the community,” says Jack Russell, a 1974 Center Grove graduate and current school-board member. “We had families where maybe the parents didn’t graduate from here, but because of their involvement with their kids they were a big part of Center Grove.”

continuous period of at least 10 years, or have made substantial contributions to the community.

• The nominee must have a special achievement in their area of specialty, and/or received honors, awards or other recognition on a local, regional, national or international level.

• The nominee must have demonstrated leadership, character and service to society in general or to a specific segment of society.

• Nominations for posthumous awards will be accepted.

Nominations are being accepted now through April 30, 2022. You can complete the application electronically at centergrovealumni.org. A printable version is available online. You can also pick up a copy of the application Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Center Grove Education Service Center, located at 4800 West Stones Crossing Road in Greenwood.

The selection committee will meet and vote on nominees in late May. Notifications will be made in June, with a celebration to be held in the fall. Nominees will be considered for three years if not chosen the first year of submission. All nomination forms are kept on file for those three years, so there will be no need to resubmit the application.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please reach out to Jennifer Rakow, executive director of the Center Grove Education Foundation, at jrakow@ centergrovefoundation.org, or at 317-8819326, ext. 1530. You can also follow Center Grove Alumni and Friends on Facebook and Twitter.

8 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / MARCH 2022 / TownePost.com

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The trio has offices in Greenwood and Bargersville to assist clients with their financial goals. Robertson says financial planning is critical today in our complex world. He says the process begins with a complimentary initial consultation.

“We start with a series of questions to determine their desired outcome,” Gandolph says. “Our approach is totally customizable based on their wants and needs. Some people want to retire by a certain age, and some want to continue working as long as possible. We’ll develop and introduce strategies for their end game.”

The group sees clients ranging in age from 20s to 80s. Sodrel says it’s never too late or too early to start planning for the future. The group can help clients at any stage in their financial path.

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Angela Sodrel, Dan Gandolph and Bill Robertson are independent financial advisors with LPL Financial. LPL is more than just the nation’s number-one independent brokerage firm and top registered investment advisor custodian. The trio has now teamed up to provide services to clients through coreVISION. “coreVISION is a local cooperative of financial advisors where we share resources and ideas,” Robertson says. “We’re teaming together to help clients achieve optimal outcomes. We offer services in retirement, education and estate planning, investments, insurance and

Gandolph has 24 years of experience in financial planning. He’s been with Gandolph Financial Services since 1997 and is primarily focused on clients in central Indiana. Sodrel brings more than 29 years in the banking and financial service industry. Robertson also has 24 years of experience in financial services, including 11 years as president of a local brokerage firm.

Sodrel, Gandolph and Robertson are heavily involved in the local Center Grove community. Gandolph served as the wrestling coach at Center Grove High School for 10 years. He is currently on the Center Grove Alumni and Friends board. Sodrel is an active member of her church as a youth-group leader and a board member of KIC-IT of Johnson County. She has served on the Center Grove Bantam Football League board and has been active in the Center Grove Blessings

in a Backpack organization for several years. Robertson served on the Greenwood Economic Development Commission for several years and served as a board member with Center Grove Little League, Center Grove Bantam Football League, CHAMP Camp and Horizon House. Robertson has also participated in Leadership Johnson County, and is active with Johnson County Shrine Club and Murat Shrine.

The team knows it’s essential to southside residents that their financial advisors are local to their community. Each live and work in the same area they service.

“We want to provide for our clients as efficiently as possible while also having strong community ties,” Robertson says. “There is so much information out there, and it’s our job to disseminate that information for our clients.

We stay up to date on the latest training and provide years of experience.”

Gandolph says the three advisors do not require a minimum dollar amount to start with financial planning.

“We don’t do that because you just never know what kind of client you might have,” Gandolph says. “We might see someone who is very young and wants to be able to start with $50 a month. Then we might see another client who is coming in at a little later stage in life with a larger amount of money. We work to provide the best outcome for every client, regardless.”

Sodrel also says introductions to a client’s family and friends are the greatest compliments the group can receive. You can find all three on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Painting the Southside Red PAINTCO PAINTERS DELIVERS AN HONEST & COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO EXTERIOR & INTERIOR PAINTING PROJECTS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

tarting from a humble beginning, Nate Akers grew up in a small rural town on a gravel road in northern Indiana, where Akers was eager to grow and spread his wings.

a career that used his knack for design, creativity, and understanding of current trends in the home renovations realm.

“I’ve always enjoyed DIY projects and had an artistic view on home renovations,” After graduating from high school in a class says Akers, who bought his first foreclosed home back in 2011 in Franklin Township. of 43 students, Akers attended Indiana State University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree and became a member of “The kitchen cabinets, flooring and the fraternal organization Sigma Nu. After countertops were white-washed in a pink hue and gold hardware prevailed graduation, for several years, he managed throughout the house.” local gyms, including Bally Total Fitness and multiple Anytime Fitness gyms.

Akers’s interest in starting a painting business grew from his skill sets and Though he enjoyed his career, he then accomplishments of renovating his first practiced as a licensed health insurance home, which later down the road led to agent, but he was ultimately drawn to

his involvement in renovating fixer-upper homes in the Near East Area Renewal Development area (NEAR) in downtown Indianapolis.

Paintco, which has been rooted in the community since 2015, is locally owned and is a full-service painting contractor that services the South Indianapolis area including Greenwood, Center Grove and Bargersville. Paintco provides hassle-free painting services specializing in residential and commercial interior and exterior painting.

“The customer’s experience and the end result are of utmost importance to our company,” Akers says. “We are committed

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to upholding consistent ethical standards, meeting commitments and respecting our customers and their property. That is what we are all about. When you collaborate with Paintco, you will receive a genuine experience while being provided an honest and consultative approach to painting. The goal is to provide cost-friendly painting services that lead to results customers love and appreciate.”

The team at Paintco is unique in that they are a smaller robust painting company with years of experience that is customerfocused and family-oriented.

“I tell my team that if a client asks a question, put the brush down and attend to the customer,” Akers says. “If they don’t know the answer, my teams know to immediately follow up and we will address the customer’s questions promptly. Those simple basic things alone can contribute to eliminating any future frustrations on the job.”

The attention to customers is part of the reason why Paintco continues to hold 5-star review ratings. They are also rated as providing elite service on Home Advisor (now Angie). In addition, Paintco has received the Best of Greenwood Painting Contractors Award the past three years in a row, and they were given the Pulse of the City award in Indianapolis, which honors excellence and customer satisfaction.

Paintco has repeatedly been ranked among the top three painters in Indy. Plus, Expertise.com, a contractor site that selects the top 20 reviews in customer satisfaction and ethics, voted Paintco as Best Painter in 2021 and 2022.

If you live on the Southside there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen Paintco painting your neighbor’s house. Easily to spot with their tall ladders, signature red shirts, and red yard signs in just about every neighborhood.

“We do a few hundred exterior homes every summer starting around March when the weather breaks, and go all the way through November or until conditions prevent us from painting outside,” Akers says.

A new coat of paint on the exterior of your home can completely transform the look of 14 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / MARCH 2022 / TownePost.com

your home and provide great curb appeal.

Akers states that Paintco’s primary focus during the summer months is painting exterior trim and siding.

The most popular interior colors Akers has seen trending are gray tones from the gray family color palette.

“Gray walls and white trim,” he says.

“Agreeable Gray, a gray with a warm, beige undertone being the most requested.”

When it comes to choosing a color, Akers

suggests that homeowners go to their local paint supply store and select sample colors to take home, put them on the substrate that you are going to be painting, whether that be the interior walls or exterior trim, and live with it for a few days before making a decision.

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“Those few days will give you a better idea of the color you’re looking for,” Akers says.

Paintco Painters is located at 438 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 208, in Greenwood, IN. For more information, visit them online at paintcopainters.com or find them on Facebook at facebook.com/ PaintcoPainters and Instagram at @ paintcopainters.

For Akers, he too continues to experience new ventures as he and his wife Courtney just welcomed their first baby, Westin, in November 2021. Courtney is a certified

TownePost.com / MARCH 2022 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 15

“Becoming a dad has been the greatest joy and experience of my life,” Akers says. “My family is most important to me and where I get my greatest strength.”

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HOT TRENDS & HAPPY HOMEOWNERS HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2022 Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Trends capture a snippet in time. What’s hot during one season may not be the next. Or a popular trend may sustain the test of time. Still others burn out, fade away, then circle back years later only to reignite.

One way or another, it’s fun to know what’s trending and what’s considered passé. Melanie Piper, a seasoned interior designer, has seen it all when it comes to various styles and products.

According to Piper, certain trends are long-standing. For instance, incorporating a butler’s pantry into the kitchen is still something most homeowners appreciate. This, of course, serves not only as a prep area but also a bit of overflow.

“A lot of people like having a separate refrigerator in there to store just beverages,” says Piper, noting that farmhouse sinks and deep apron kitchen sinks are also still popular. The farmhouse vibe is still trending though not as much as in the past. Nevertheless, people are still adding rustic touches throughout their homes.

“That’s what’s awesome about design, in general—mixing different elements together to reflect your own personality,” Piper says.

“For instance, perhaps you do a traditional cabinet with a more contemporary handle. Or maybe your range hood is stainless steel with a painted wood trim. What’s great is that there are so many possibilities and so many ways of doing things.”

In the kitchen, some homeowners like dressed-up shaker cabinet doors with some depth while others embrace a modern, clean line flat cabinet. White kitchens are still popular but color can be infused with an all-wood island or in an adjacent space.

“People like to jazz those up a bit with color,” she says. “It’s safer than doing your whole kitchen, in, say, a navy blue.”

When it comes to countertops, concrete is out with the exception of extremely modern homes or mancaves. Most homeowners still gravitate to granite, quartz and quartzite.

“The backsplash is everything!” Piper says. Natural materials like travertine, terracotta, and slab are all the rage. “Subway is classic and isn’t going out of style.”

The hot new trend in master bathrooms is an open shower concept with a glass separation that includes a tub.

Melanie Piper of Interiors by Melanie, Inc.

TownePost.com / MARCH 2022 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 17

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Today’s Home Furnishings

“It’s a shower room, so-to-speak, but the tub is in there, too,” Piper says. “It keeps everything to one area and is very pretty.”

and family room, many crave a separate gathering space that has a television, a fireplace or a low-key bar cart.

Voice-activated technologies are still trending as homeowners love the ease of being able to control things throughout their house from their phones—everything from setting alarms and timers to programming the thermostat, opening and closing the garage door, and turning off and on light switches.

And while accent walls became popular years ago, the concept has evolved over time. Rather than just painting one wall of a room a different color now homeowners are using wood slats across the wall or some other material to fashion an accent.

“Not only does it give you a sleek modern look when you get rid of light switches, but you no longer have to go room to room, checking to be sure lights are turned off,” Piper says. “No need to have those night and daytimers anymore either.”

For years, the open-concept floorplan has been the predominant trend and that’s still the case, albeit with some modifications. For instance, homeowners are dropping the kitchen ceiling down a bit, adding bead board or shiplap to the ceiling, or installing a rustic crossbeam to create division between rooms.

“This way you don’t feel like you’re in a gymnasium with that echoing effect you get with tall ceilings,” Piper says.

While people enjoy the open concept in rooms like the kitchen

“Some people opt for a stone wall or painted brick to bring interest into a space,” she says. “With wall designs, you can do anything.”

Speaking of walls, wallpaper —the peel & stick variety—has made a comeback in recent years. While paint fades and nicks over time, particularly in high-traffic areas, wallpaper tends to be more forgiving.

As for flooring, Piper notes that while carpet is still popular in bedrooms, gone are the days when the main floor is wall-to-wall carpet. Now more people are installing Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), which looks like wood flooring without the maintenance and upkeep. In addition, it’s scratch-resistant, fade-resistant, and waterproof, making it a great choice for those who have pets or children.

Distinctive Kitchen & Bath 18 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / MARCH 2022 / TownePost.com

Today’s Home Furnishings

WHAT’S TRENDING RIGHT NOW Plumbing fixtures: Black and champagne brushed gold Light fixtures: Textured “bubbly” glass and elaborate chandeliers Flooring: Luxury Vinyl Tile and Luxury Vinyl Plank Walls: Peel-n-stick wallpaper, texture Colors: Warm tones, especially grays and earth tones Furniture: Straight and curved lines, cozy textiles, layers of texture

“People want floors that are durable and low maintenance,” Piper says. “No one wants to have to refinish their floors every five years.”

As for design, homeowners crave minimalistic, streamlined and clean. Many are incorporating more personalized accessories like family heirlooms into their décor by displaying, for instance, grandma’s cookie jar or grandpa’s watch.

“It’s about decorating with things that when you look at them, it makes you smile because there’s a fond memory tied to it,” Piper says. “People like pieces that have a story behind them.”

Rick and Debbie Wildrick, owners of Today’s Home Furnishings, agree.

“Over the past 18 months, we’ve found ourselves spending more time in our homes. As a result, we’re paying greater attention to our home surroundings and what works for our now new lifestyles,” says Rick.

“Our homes have become the main setting of our lives – where we live, work, socialize, exercise. Every corner, and every object we’re surrounded by, must serve some sort of purpose and have meaning.”

After creating home offices, people are eager to update other areas of their homes, incorporating comfort and evoking a warm and welcoming feel. Expect to see cozy textiles, subtle warm colors, and soft-edged pieces this year.

Through the years, the Wildricks have seen furnishing trends come and go, but one criterion that has never gone out of style is comfort. These days, comfort can be found in even the sleekest of designs. Power headrests and lumbar support defines motion furniture. Leather is also popular and is available in a wide variety of colors of textures.

“As for design, homeowners like a minimalistic, streamlined and clean look along with striking pieces that make a space interesting and memorable,” Debbie says.

“Gone are the days of making your home look like a catalog or a staged vignette in your favorite home décor store. Instead, homes will be more unique and reflect a space that is multi-functional and where people feel comforted.”

House design can be an overwhelming process so when first getting started, Piper suggests that her clients hop on Pinterest or Houzz and take note of anything they are drawn to. That could be a wall

TownePost.com / MARCH 2022 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 19

The Wildricks of Today’s Home Furnishings

color, a piece of furniture, a light fixture, or a type of hardware.

“Mike was the perfect REALTOR® for us. He patiently showed us homes in a volatile market. His guidance and experience was invaluable. He knows the market, but more importantly, he took the time to know us and what we wanted. He was available to ‘rush’ to a new listing, return my calls and communicate on a regular basis.

Once we found our ‘new’ home, he listed our existing home. It was on the market for 24 hours, we received 5 offers and sold it for above asking. Once again, Mike’s knowledge of the current market allowed us to navigate a very difficult market successfully. Mike is, by far, the best agent I have worked with and I highly recommend him.”

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“Throw it on a board and share it with me so that I can get an idea of your taste,” says Piper, who has loved design ever since she was a young girl rearranging her parent’s furniture.

“Mom had good taste, but I put it together for her, just like I do for my clients,” she says. “I want them to be happy and love being in their home. If they give me big hugs in the end, I know I’ve done my job well.”

To contact Interiors by Melanie, Inc., call 317-828-0436 or visit facebook.com/Interiors-by-Melanie-Inc or Instagram at @ Interiorsbymelaniepiper.

Today’s Home Furnishings is located at 1675 West Smith Valley Road, Suite C-1, Greenwood, IN 46142. For more information, call 317-886-7744 or visit todayshf.com.

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CREATING AN OUTDOOR OASIS

DESIGNING & CONSTRUCTING AMAZING OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

In the spring of 2020, when the world was forced to shut down, slow down, and for some, even come to a hard stop, those in the home building, landscaping, and hardscaping industry were just getting revved up.

The global pandemic has created a shift in the way people view their home, and in the past two years, they have spent much more time working, exercising, and even schooling from home.

“With so much going on inside their houses, homeowners have looked outside for opportunities to add additional living spaces,” says Dena Marietta, Marketing & Events Manager for Duke Homes. “Areas to relax and gather with friends, cook, garden, work out, and even work remotely outdoors have become more popular. For many, the

backyard has become a true extension of their home, and they are more willing than ever to invest in outdoor living spaces.”

These outdoor spaces may include adding patios, pools, pavers, pergolas, fireplaces, firepits, and walkways—all of which expand the square footage of a home and provides homeowners with an outdoor place to live, work and play.

Mike and Theresa Powell, owners of Greenleaf Landscaping, which specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of outdoor living spaces, have seen strong interest in enhancing outdoor environments.

“Instead of taking vacations, people are investing in outdoor living spaces,” Theresa says.

“With the rise in new home construction

in Bargersville and western Greenwood comes increased demand for customized landscaping. Many of the new homes have minimal landscaping and hardscaping. Mike has noticed that new homeowners are often eager to add a paver patio, fire pit and trees for added privacy.”

The Powells are also refreshing established structures—situations in which people have lived in a home for a couple of decades and are ready for a change so they decide to modify their outdoor living space.

“These are homes where landscaping has outgrown the space,” Mike says. “They are wanting to start over and look at expanding patio areas or adding other outdoor elements like seat walls or fire features.

“We also continue to see trends of homeowners installing pools and hot tubs and

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“IT’S MUCH BETTER TO FOCUS YOUR INVESTMENT ON ONE IMPROVEMENT AT A TIME AND DO IT RIGHT THAN TO TRY AND TAKE ON TOO MANY PROJECTS. SKIMPING AND NOT COMPLETING A PROJECT WITH QUALITY MATERIALS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP WILL RESULT IN PROJECTS THAT WON’T STAND THE TEST OF TIME, FORCING YOU TO HAVE TO REDO A PROJECT DOWN THE ROAD.” -DENA MARIETTA-

with that comes the need for landscaping the surrounding areas.”

Mike recommends engaging a landscape designer early in the pool project so drainage, hardscape surrounds and plantings are part of the overall pool design.

Plus, with interest rates at historical lows and “staycations” at an all-time high, pools and hot tubs are often being included in the initial new home build. Sometimes along with that people choose to also add hardscape areas with firepits and additional gathering spaces.

Marietta points out that while adding a swimming pool doesn’t directly translate into a dollar-for-dollar rate of return on investment, if it provides years of enjoyment and value for the family, it’s certainly worth doing.

“Their personal enjoyment is the true measure of the rate of return,” Marietta says.

The predominant trend in hardscaping is an increase in designing much larger porches on both the front and the back of their new

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custom home.

“These porches are designed more like outdoor living rooms and kitchens and are no longer just home to a rocking chair or two,” says Marietta. Fireplaces, outdoor cooking areas, expansive seating areas, big screen TVs, sound systems and oversized sliding doors that blur the transition from inside to out are all on trend. Clients are also adding outdoor heating to these areas to extend their use throughout the cooler months.

indoor sports court area this home really overdelivered.”

Greenleaf Landscaping is located at 788 S Runyon Road, Greenwood, IN 46143. For more information, call 317-881-4566 or

When building these outdoor features, experts agree that it’s imperative that quality remains paramount.

“It’s much better to focus your investment on one improvement at a time and do it right than to try and take on too many projects,” Marietta says. “Skimping and not completing a project with quality materials and craftsmanship will result in projects that won’t stand the test of time, forcing you to have to redo a project down the road.”

As a whole, homeowners are choosing to transform their backyards into a comfortable oasis where they can relax and unwind. As such, they are seeking greater privacy. According to Marietta, beyond outdoor fencing homeowners are seeking additional seclusion with the installation of decorative privacy screens, automatic screen walls on porches and the inclusion of landscaping elements such as vertical gardens, evergreen trees, and weatherproof fabric curtains.

The Duke Homes team certainly knows a thing or two about creating luxurious outdoor living areas as evidenced by their Modern Prairie home—the winner of the 2021 Home-A-Rama People’s Choice Award.

“When we designed the space, we knew it would be beautiful, but the reality far exceeded expectations,” Marietta says.

“From the pool with built-in fountains, to the outdoor living and kitchen areas with retractable screen walls and extensive hardscapes, to the pool house/ 24 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / MARCH 2022 / TownePost.com

visit www.greenleaflandscapeinc.com.

Duke Homes is located at 4300 N. Rd. 725 W., Bargersville, IN 46106. For more information, call 317-422-9000 or visit dukehomes.com

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN TODAY’S RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

The number-one factor homebuyers and sellers need to know about the current market is that it is not what it used to be.

Buyers may not get their first or second choice. Also, the asking price is typically the starting price.

“There are no deals,” says Mike Cagle, a seasoned realtor with F.C. Tucker.

“Forget about any seller concessions. In fact, sellers have to think about buyer concessions. How much are they willing to pay on the seller’s side to make their offer a little more enticing? This has not been heard of until last year.”

clients on the following Monday to review the offers that came in over the weekend usually 12 to 15.

Homeowners on a budget, as well as firsttime homebuyers with limited funds, are being outbid. It used to be that buyers never had to compete with an investor because investors purchased bank-owned properties, which they would fix up and flip. Now, however, a lot of personal residences are getting gobbled up by conglomerates, private investors and real estate investment trusts, who buy these turnkey properties at or above market value to use as rentals.

“That’s really hurting everyday buyers because now they’re not only competing On the flip side, sellers need to be with other buyers but also with cash informed of this crazy market. Cagle offers,” says Jake Stiles, team lead with encourages his sellers to put their house Team Stiles at Compass Realty. “That’s a on the market on a Friday and then go out hard pill to swallow as a buyer because the of town for the weekend simply because average buyer doesn’t have $300,000 in the number of showing requests can be cash. Of course, if you’re a seller it’s great.” overwhelming. He then meets with his

Stiles reports that his team is seeing a 20% appreciation year-over-year in certain spots of Indiana.

“Our homes have been so cheap for so long that investor money is driving up prices, as is lack of inventory,” Stiles says. “I think it’s a market correction. Now it’s where it should have been.”

He believes that once this gets corrected, we’re not going to see much depreciation, if any at all. He also believes that in the next six months we’ll see a bit of market easing due to the fact that lenders are actively working on foreclosure properties, which they weren’t able to do for some time.

That was lifted last year, so some of those properties will likely hit the market, which will help with inventory.

Cagle insists that finding a home is not a hopeless endeavor. Buyers do, however, need to come to grips with the fact that they won’t get everything they want in a home.

“They’re not going to find the perfect

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house,” Cagle says. “What they buy may need some updating that they’ll have to undertake on their own.”

In the “old days,” as it were, if a seller wanted to have a chance at selling their house quickly - or at all - they were wise to tackle some renovations. Today’s market, however, is a different story.

“Now it’s like, clean the house and you’ll get top dollar,” Stiles says.

The first impression, though, is crucial. If the doorknobs are dirty, the carpet is worn, the windows are smudged and there’s deep dust on the windowsills and baseboards, buyers will be turned off.

“It’s all about the mental game we try to prepare our sellers for,” Stiles says. “If you don’t think that selling is psychological, you’re wrong.”

It doesn’t hurt, however, to pay attention to the little things, like adding hardware to kitchen cabinets. If a room is dim, install some overhead canned lights to make it brighter. Don’t neglect the exterior. After all, it’s the first thing potential buyers see, so lay down fresh mulch and plant some flowers.

“The phrase ‘You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression’ is true,” Cagle says. “If the front door needs painted, if there are weeds in the yard or if the mailbox is chipping, you’re setting a negative tone already.”

While renovations aren’t required per se, doing some upgrades can still help you net a little more profit. It’s probably best to concentrate on flooring, and the trend right now is putting down new luxury vinyl plank in the great room, kitchen and dining room. Cagle had a client who had deferred updating for years. Cagle told him that in its current condition, the property was worth $150,000, but if he installed laminate flooring throughout the main level, put down new carpet in the bedrooms and added a fresh coat of paint to the walls, the property would sell for $200,000 or more.

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“He spent $20,000 and he’ll net an additional $30,000,” Cagle says. “It’s worth making those changes.”

The best thing to do, whether you’re buying or selling, is to talk to a seasoned real estate agent.

“This business appears to look easy because the experienced professionals make it look easy,” Cagle says. Scouring the internet, however, is not the way to educate yourself. Cagle was once chatting with a doctor who asked him what he did for a living. When he told her, she said, “Oh, I bet you like Zillow!”

Cagle responded, “As much as you like WebMD.” She chuckled. Point taken.

If you’re looking to buy, it’s a good idea to get a representative who is competent in your market. If you’re a seller, it’s smart to interview multiple agents. Stiles also recommends refraining from hiring the first person you interview or simply going with someone because they’re friendly.

“Just because you go to church with someone doesn’t make them competent,” Stiles says. “Look at their track record.

28 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / MARCH 2022 / TownePost.com

Are they selling homes in your area? How many homes did they sell? Do you want to hire someone who has sold two homes in a year or someone who sold 100? This is a business decision that’s going to make or break your money so it’s better to hire someone who is more of a financial advisor than a friend.”

To contact Jake Stiles of Team Stiles at Compass Realty, call 317-883-9461. To contact Mike Cagle of F.C. Tucker, call 317-888-3311.

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CENTER GROVE CHOIRS RECEIVE MULTIPLE AWARDS AT FISHERS SILVER SPOTLIGHT SHOW CHOIR INVITATIONAL

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Center Grove High School choirs Sound System and The Debtones competed at Fishers Silver Spotlight Show Choir Invitational in Fishers, Indiana, on Saturday, February 5, 2021. Sound System was awarded Grand Champion in the Large Mixed Division. Sound

System also received caption awards for Best Costumes, Best Visuals and Best Vocals. The Debtones were awarded Grand Champion in the Large Unisex Division.

The Debtones also received caption awards for Best Visuals and Best Vocals.

Individual performers recognized were senior Becca May and junior Ryan St. Pierre,

for Duet Competition Grand Champion.

Center Grove choirs are directed

by Jennifer Dice, Jared Norman, Greg Sanders and Wendy Webb, and choreographed by Andy Haines and April James. Please visit centergrovechoirs. org for more information on upcoming competitions and shows.

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